Poker Pro's Corner: With half your chips in, it's no time to fold

Jul 20,2007 00:00 by Gavin Griffin

Q: I'm a short stack in a tournament in the big blind and have half my chips in. Another short stack has gone all-in in front of me. Should I call with anything here? Or wait for a better spot during the next round? If I decide to call, is it better to call with a hand like A-2 or 10-9?

- Clark, Kent

GAVIN GRIFFIN - In 2004, Gavin Griffin became the youngest player to win a World Series of Poker bracelet . A European Poker Tour Grand Final Champion, he made close to 2 million euros in Monte Carlo. CNS Photo.
A: The only time this could be a fold is if it's a satellite and someone else is posting all-in already or it's some odd structure where your next pay jump goes from like 50k to 500k. I guess you would rather have 10-9 since you are less likely to be dominated.

Q: What kind of player scares you most in tournaments?

- Curious, Birmingham

A: I don't get scared of anyone in a tournament. The people I like to play against the least are the unpredictable ones - guys like Patrick Antonius and the like who have every play in their arsenal.

Q: What is the most important thing to remember about tournament play?

- Broke Bloke, Coventry

A: I'm not sure if there is one thing that is most important to remember, but I know the only thing I'm thinking about in a tournament is to win.

Q: If you believe you are the best player at a final table, do you play any differently than if you think you are about average?

- Jennifer, Bedford, England

A: If the structure is good I'm going to take more flops, play pots in position and try to keep the pots small. The more decisions I get to make, the bigger my advantage is.

Q: How does the competition at the WSOP compare to the EPT?

- Love to Travel, London

A: Well, the WSOP is generally the softest field of any of the events throughout the year. I have recognized one person at my starting table between the last two years and I consider that a good thing most of the time.

- - -

European Poker Tour Grand Final Champion Gavin Griffin is only 25 years old, but is no stranger to the limelight - in 2004 he became the youngest player to win a WSOP bracelet when he took down the $3,000 pot-limit hold 'em event. He won $270,000 for that feat, which pales in comparison to the almost 2 million euros he hauled away from Monte Carlo.

E-mail questions to jwenzel@pokerpromedia.com.